Less than two years ago we first discussed setting up the organisation Sid Valley HELP. This September we celebrate our first AGM as a registered charity.

We set out to provide a website of all local health and care support services in the area, offer a signposting service and a network with other organisations to support a more joined up service. We also set out to provide services where there are gaps. 

An area where we have been told there is a gap in provision is loneliness. This can affect young and old alike but increases for those with a long term health condition or a disability, for those undergoing big life changes and if they are caring for others. 

I'm sure that we all have personal experience in our families or with friends of these sorts of situations and we all try to help as much as we can. Sometimes people do not have the support of family and friends close by and then loneliness can be very damaging to their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

There has been an increase in many activities in the Sid Valley over the last year aimed at reducing loneliness, but there is not an easy solution to this.

Sid Valley HELP has recently started a number of new activities: 

A weekly drop-in Tea & Chat on Thursday afternoons from 3.00-4.00pm at the Mustard Seed Café, All Saints Road. Open to anybody in need of a chat and a friendly face. This is available now.

A weekly 'New Mums' session meets on Mondays from 1.00-3.00pm at the Stowford Children's Centre. This is an informal session where new Mums with babies up to the age of 12months can meet to share experiences and perhaps make new friends. Next meeting Monday 2nd September.

Monthly coffee mornings take place at The Elizabeth Hotel on the first Saturday of each month.

This group is for 'young at heart' ladies between 50 to 70 years old looking for like-minded people to share a coffee and chat and broaden their social life. Next session Saturday 7th September from 10.30-12.30.

We offer a Home Befriending service for the under 60s who are housebound or feeling isolated.

Our friendly and dedicated volunteers offer regular company and conversation in your home. All queries will be followed up and a suitable volunteer matched to the person's needs. Call 07786 816890 if you would like more information.

Phone 01395 892011 or 07378 964521 or email [email protected] if you would like more information about any of our services.

People who may enjoy our services are those who live alone, who are recently bereaved or separated, have recently retired, who have few friends, have recently moved here, have a long term illness or a disability or who have maybe lost their confidence to go out and meet people. 

We hope that Sidmouth Nub News readers, individuals, groups or businesses will help us address this issue in our town. 

Please pass information onto anyone that you know that may benefit from our support. Let us know if you think there are other activities that we should be involved in. 

Please support Sid Valley to raise money to provide help for the socially isolated. Donation information is available on our website by clicking the red button below.

Sid Valley HELP provides easy access to information for people who need help from health and care organisations. It enables Health and Social Care professionals to find services in the community to support clients, patients, carers and their families.

Looking back over the last year I'm able to celebrate what we have achieved in a relatively short time. We are grateful to volunteers and supporters who helped with this.